UNIVERSAL ROD HOLDER
A universal rod holder including a drive member and an elongated shaft member. The drive member has a proximal portion and a distal portion, and may include a handle disposed on the proximal portion, external threads disposed on the proximal portion of the drive member, and a tip disposed on a distal end of the distal portion of the drive member. The elongated shaft member includes a through hole, the through hole configured to receive the drive member, internal threads disposed on an inner surface of the through hole and configured to engage the external threads, and a hook member disposed on a distal end of the shaft member. The through hole extends into an opening of the hook member. The distal portion of the drive member is configured to slide through the through hole and into the opening of the hook member to secure a rod positioned therein.
This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/706,230 filed Sep. 27, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a device for use in orthopedic surgeries and, more specifically, a universal rod holder for use during spinal surgery.
2. Discussion of Related Art
The spinal column is a complex system of bones and connective tissues that provide support for the human body and protection for the spinal cord and nerves. The adult spine includes twenty-four vertebral bodies, which are subdivided into three areas, including seven cervical vertebrae, twelve thoracic vertebrae and five lumbar vertebrae. Between adjacent vertebral bodies is an intervertebral disc that cushions and dampens the various translational and rotational forces exerted upon the spinal column.
There are various disorders, diseases and types of injury which the spinal column may experience in a lifetime. These problems may include, but are not limited to, scoliosis, kyphosis, excessive lordosis, spondylolisthesis, slipped or ruptured discs, degenerative disc disease, vertebral body fracture, and tumors. Persons suffering from any of the above conditions typically experience extreme or debilitating pain and often times diminished nerve function.
One of the more common solutions to any of the above mentioned conditions involves a surgical procedure to implant a rod or rods along the spine to support the vertebral bodies. Typically, the implanted rod is attached to the vertebral bodies using pedicle screws, hooks or anchors. Although instruments have been designed to assist in the insertion and/or manipulation of the rod into the implanted screws, hooks or anchors, there exists a need for a rod holder that can accommodate various rod diameters and shapes.
SUMMARYIn aspects of the present disclosure, a universal rod holder includes a drive member and an elongated shaft member. The drive member has a proximal portion and a distal portion, and may include a handle disposed on a proximal end of the drive member. The drive member may also have external threads disposed on the proximal portion of the drive member and a tip disposed on a distal end of the distal portion of the drive member. The elongated shaft member includes a through hole for receiving the drive member with internal threads disposed on an inner surface of the through hole which are configured to engage the external threads. A hook member is disposed on a distal end of the shaft member. The through hole extends through the shaft member and into an opening of the hook member. The distal portion of the drive member is configured to slide through the through hole and into the opening of the hook member.
In aspects of the present disclosure, the proximal portion of the drive member may have a first diameter that is larger than a diameter of the distal portion of the drive member. In aspects of the present disclosure, the universal rod holder may also be used with an anti-torque tool configured to releasably engage a neck portion of the shaft member. In aspects of the present disclosure, rotation of the drive member relative to the shaft member causes longitudinal movement of the distal portion of the drive member through the through hole.
In aspects of the present disclosure, the handle is a T-handle. In aspects of the present disclosure, the tip of the drive member includes a non-planar configuration. In aspects of the present disclosure, the universal rod holder, or any of the components thereof, is composed, entirely or partially, of a biocompatible material selected from a group consisting of: stainless steel, titanium, titanium alloys, polymers, and cobalt chrome.
In aspects of the present disclosure, a method for grasping a rod includes positioning a hook member of a shaft member around the rod, such that the rod is positioned within an opening of the hook member and against an internal wall of the hook member. The method also includes rotating a drive member to cause distal advancement of a tip of the drive member into the opening of the hook member and securing the rod between the internal wall of the hook member and the tip.
In aspects of the present disclosure, the method further includes coupling an anti-torque tool to the shaft member. In aspects of the present disclosure, the method further includes removing the drive member from the shaft member and inserting a second drive member into a through hole of the shaft member. The tip of the second drive member may be different from the tip of the first drive member.
In aspects of the present disclosure, a universal rod holder kit includes a shaft member having a through hole with internal threads disposed on an inner surface of the through hole and a hook member disposed on a distal end of the shaft member, and at least one drive member. The at least one drive member is configured to slide through the through hole and into an opening of the hook member to secure a rod positioned within the opening of the hook member. The at least one drive member includes external threads configured to threadingly engage the internal threads of the shaft member.
In aspects of the present disclosure, the kit includes a first drive member and a second drive member, where the respective tips of the first and second drive members have different shapes or sizes. In aspects of the present disclosure, a first tip of the first drive member includes a planar edge and the second tip of the second drive member includes a non-planar configuration. In aspects of the present disclosure, the kit further includes an anti-torque tool configured to engage the shaft member. In aspects of the present disclosure, the kit further includes a second shaft member having a second hook member.
Various aspects of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, wherein:
Embodiments of the present disclosure are now described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein, the term “clinician” refers to a doctor, a nurse, or any other care provider or user and may include support personnel. Throughout this description, the term “proximal” will refer to the portion of the device or component thereof that is closer to the clinician and the term “distal” will refer to the portion of the device or component thereof that is farther from the clinician. Additionally, in the drawings and in the description that follows, terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, top, bottom, and similar directional terms are used simply for convenience of description and are not intended to limit the disclosure.
With reference to
Continuing with reference to
Hook member 34 includes inner wall 34w defined on an inner surface thereof, and an opening 34o. Hook member 34 is configured to receive a rod 90 within opening 34o such that rod 90 may abut the inner wall 34w of hook member 34 when positioned therein. Through hole 32 extends through shaft portion 30, and in particular, from proximal portion 30a of shaft member 30 to an aperture 32a disposed on a distal portion 30b of the shaft member 30.
Internal threads 36 are formed on an internal surface of the through hole 32. In an aspect of the present disclosure, internal threads 36 are formed on an internal surface of through hole 32 within the proximal potion 30a of the shaft member 30. Although shown and described as being disposed in the proximal portion 30a, it is envisioned that internal threads 36 may be disposed on any portion of shaft member 30 within through hole 32, such as the distal portion 30b or any other portion of shaft member 30. Internal threads 36 are configured to threadingly engage external threads 26 of drive member 20 when drive member 20 is joined with shaft member 30 to secure drive member 20 to shaft member 30 and to axially advance drive member 20 along longitudinal axis A-A, as will be described in further detail below.
In aspects of the present disclosure, shaft member 30 further includes a neck portion 38 disposed between proximal portion 30a and distal portion 30b, for mating with an anti-torque tool 80, as will be described in further detail below.
With reference to
In aspects of the disclosure, handle 22 is a T-handle. However, it is envisioned that handle 22 may take any form of any type of gripping device suitable to perform the functions of a handle or provide leverage for rotating drive member 20 relative to the shaft member 30, i.e. about the longitudinal axis A-A of shaft member 30.
In aspects of the present disclosure, proximal portion 20a has a larger diameter than distal portion 20b. The external diameter of the proximal portion 20a of drive member 20 is substantially similar to the internal diameter of the proximal portion 30a of shaft member 30 (i.e., the diameter of a proximal portion of the through hole 32) and the outer diameter of distal portion 20b of drive member 20 is substantially similar to the inner diameter of aperture 32a.
External threads 26 of drive member 20 are configured to threadingly engage the internal threads 36 of shaft member 30.
Tip 29 of drive member 20 is configured to slide through the through hole 32 of shaft portion 30, and through the aperture 32a such that tip 29 is advanced into opening 34o of hook member 34 to engage a rod 90 (
However, with particular reference to
The non-planar configuration of tip 29a may be V-shaped or may have an arcuate configuration. Alternatively, the non-planar configuration of tip 29a may be a compound curve defined by separate sections, each section having a different radius curvature. In this respect, the plurality of radii of curvature defines a compound curve that provides two or more lines of contact on a plurality of different diameter rods 90. In one instance, the tip 29a has three adjacent sections and each section has a radius of curvature that is different from the other two sections. It is contemplated that the compound curvature is symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis that extends through the tip 29a and the drive member 20.
With reference to
With reference back to
In aspects of the present disclosure, universal rod holder 10 is usable with an anti-torque tool 80 (
Turning now to
Once assembled, i.e. once the drive member 20 is threadingly engaged to the shaft member 30, the hook member 34 is then coupled to, or positioned about, the rod 90. In particular, the rod 90 is positioned within the opening 34o of the hook member 34 and the outer surface of the rod 90 is positioned against the inner wall 34w of hook member 34. Although described in this order, it is envisioned, that the hook member 34 may be positioned about the rod 90 prior to insertion of the drive member 20 within the shaft member 30. To this end, a user may desire to place the hook member 34 about the rod 90 and then subsequently couple the drive member 20 to the shaft member 30.
Subsequent to placement of the rod 90 within the hook member 34, i.e., against the inner wall 34w, the drive member 20 is further distally advanced along the longitudinal axis A-A relative to the shaft member 30 to secure the rod 90 within the hook member 34. In particular, a user restricts the rotational movement of the shaft member 30 such that when the drive member 20 is rotated in the direction of arrow “R,” the drive member 20 advances distally relative to the shaft member 30. The drive member 20 is continuously rotated in this manner until the tip 29 extends through the aperture 32a and into the opening 34o of the hook member 34. Once the tip 29 extends through the aperture 32a, the user continues to rotate the drive member 20 relative to the shaft member 30 until the tip 29 comes into contact with the rod 90 that is positioned against the inner wall 34w of the hook member 34.
Once the rod 90 is secured to the universal rod holder 10, i.e., the rod 90 is secured to the hook member 34 between the inner wall 34w of the hook member 34 and the tip 29 of the drive member 20, the universal rod holder 10 may be manipulated to control movement of the rod 90 attached thereto. In aspects of the present disclosure, the universal rod holder 10 is manipulated to insert the rod 90 into a screw housing 100 (
If desired, a user may also attach anti-torque tool 80 to the shaft member 30 to assist the user in restricting the rotational movement of the shaft member 30 when the drive member 20 is rotated relative to the shaft member 30. Additionally, the anti-torque tool 80 may assist a user in movement of the rod 90, after the rod 90 is secured to the universal rod holder 10, relative to a screw or hook inserted in a vertebra.
In aspects of the present disclosure, the universal rod holders described above, and any of the components thereof, may be constructed of a variety of biocompatible materials, e.g., stainless steel, cobalt chrome, PEEK, titanium, titanium alloys, etc.
Referring now to
While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto. Additionally, any components of each of the embodiments described may be used with any of the other embodiments described. cm What is claimed:
Claims
1. A universal rod holder comprising:
- a drive member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the drive member including: a handle disposed on the drive member; external threads disposed on the proximal portion of the drive member; and a tip disposed on a distal end of the distal portion of the drive member;
- a shaft member including a through hole, the through hole configured to receive the drive member;
- internal threads disposed on an inner surface of the through hole, the internal threads configured to engage the external threads; and
- a hook member disposed on a distal end of the shaft member, wherein the distal portion of the drive member is configured to slide through the through hole and into an opening of the hook member.
2. The universal rod holder according to claim 1, wherein the proximal portion has a first diameter and the distal portion has a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter.
3. The universal rod holder according to claim 1, wherein the shaft member includes a neck portion configured to releasably engage an anti-torque tool.
4. The universal rod holder according to claim 1, wherein rotation of the drive member relative to the shaft member causes longitudinal movement of the distal portion of the drive member through the through hole.
5. The universal rod holder according to claim 1, wherein the tip has a non-planar configuration.
6. A method for grasping a rod comprising:
- positioning a hook member of a shaft member around the rod, such that the rod is positioned within an opening of the hook member and against an inner wall of the hook member;
- rotating a drive member to cause distal advancement of a tip of the drive member into the opening of the hook member; and
- securing the rod between the internal wall of the hook member and the tip.
7. The method for grasping a rod according to claim 6, wherein a proximal portion of the drive member has a first diameter and a distal portion of the drive member has a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter.
8. The method for grasping a rod according to claim 6, wherein the shaft member includes a neck portion configured to releasably engage an anti-torque tool, and the method further includes attaching the anti-torque tool to the shaft member.
9. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:
- removing the drive member from the shaft member; and
- inserting a second drive member, different from the drive member, into a through hole of the shaft member.
10. A universal rod holder kit comprising:
- a shaft member including a through hole, the shaft member including: internal threads disposed on an inner surface of the through hole; and a hook member disposed on a distal end of the shaft member;
- a first drive member having a first tip; and
- a second drive member having a second tip different from the first tip, wherein the first and second drive members are configured to slide through the through hole and into an opening of the hook member to secure a rod positioned within the opening of the hook member, the first and second drive members including external threads configured to threadingly engage the internal threads of the shaft member.
11. The universal rod holder kit according to claim 10, wherein the first tip has a planar edge and the second tip has a non-planar configuration.
12. The universal rod holder kit according to claim 10, further comprising an anti-torque tool configured to engage the shaft member.
13. The universal rod holder kit according to claim 10, further comprising a second shaft member having a second hook member, wherein the second hook member has a different size opening from the hook member.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 26, 2013
Publication Date: Apr 17, 2014
Patent Grant number: 9545270
Inventors: Larry McClintock (Gore, VA), Kevin R. Strauss (Columbia, MD)
Application Number: 14/037,784
International Classification: A61B 17/70 (20060101);